News from the OPM

On 17th July 2016, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, will pay an Official Visit to Jamaica, on the invitation of the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, for further political dialogue on matters of mutual interest to both countries. Prime Minister Holness extended the invitation to Prime Minister Rowley during their bilateral discussions, held in the margins of the Seventh Summit of Heads of States and Government of States, Countries and Territories of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), in Havana, Cuba on 4th June 2016. The Visit follows ongoing discussions between both Governments, towards the resolution of long standing bilateral and regional issues, including the Implementation of the CARICOM Single Market Economy (CSME), and the related Free Movement of Community Nationals and Immigration matters, Trade and Energy Cooperation and Air Transportation. The Prime Ministers are also expected to engage on the CARICOM integration process. Both Leaders will discuss the signing of a Framework Agreement and the establishment of a Joint Commission, which is currently under negotiation, to provide a structured medium for bilateral discussions and cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Prime Minister Rowley, who will be accompanied…

Prime Minster Andrew Holness in a letter to the French Prime Minister Mr. Manuel Valls has expressed Jamaica’s support as they deal with the latest attack on their country. In his letter, Prime Minister Holness said, “This atrocious act, perpetrated against the French Republic during the festivities on the occasion of the 227th Anniversary of your National Day in the city of Nice, has left Jamaica and the international community in dismay and anguish”. He further added that, “The attack seeks to undermine the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity championed by the French in 1789 which have been accepted by the civilized and peace-loving world as core tenets of democracy. Today, it is clear that there are elements in the world that do not embrace these ideals; elements which are dedicated to inciting fear and hatred among others”. Prime Minister Holness extended Jamaica’s condolence to the people of France and their bereaved families in this time of grief and reiterated Jamaica’s solidarity with the French Republic.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has congratulated Hon. Theresa May on her appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In a letter sent today (Wednesday, July 13), Prime Minister Holness said “Jamaica and the United Kingdom have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship built on strong historical links and close bonds of friendship and cooperation. I look forward to the strengthening of these ties during your tenure in the interest of both our peoples.” He stated that her appointment as the leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister is a testament to the high level of competence and commitment she has displayed throughout her years of service to the United Kingston, adding: “I have no doubt that the solid expertise which you bring to this high-level portfolio will prove invaluable, as you promote unity towards a new vision and perspective for your country.” Prime Minister Holness noted the enormity of the assignment and wished May every success in the discharge of her responsibilities.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and World Bank Country Director Sophie Sirtaine opened today a high-level brainstorming session on growth strategies and debt management with members of the Cabinet, senior officials, international experts and policymakers. In her opening remarks, Sophie Sirtaine congratulated Jamaica for the progress made and reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to support the country in pursuing its ambitious agenda of pro-growth reforms. Recent reforms to address persistent fiscal and debt issues, combined with measures to improve the investment climate, have started to restore confidence in the Jamaican economy. Jamaica is also advancing on key strategic investments in the energy, logistics, agribusiness, ICT, creative industries, and tourism sectors. These investments are critical to unlock economic competitiveness. At the request of Prime Minister Holness, the World Bank brought leading experts and international policymakers including the World Bank Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean Augusto de la Torre, former Governor of the Central Bank of Chile Jose de Gregorio, Seychelles Governor of the Central Bank Caroline Abel, former Minister of Finance of Latvia Andris Wilks, former Minister of trade of Costa Rica Alberto Trejos, and former World Bank Vice President for Financial and Private Sector Development Janamitra Devan, to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today said he is mourning with the nation and keeping a close watch on the investigation into the murder of a three-year-old girl in St Ann. Prime Minister Holness said he has had conversations with the Police Commissioner Dr Karl Williams, who assured him that all is being done to bring the killer or killers of the child to justice: “The government is clear and adamant that we will do whatever we can to deal with these gruesome and indecent acts, especially against our women and children. This is a sincere commitment by myself and our cabinet. I understand that good progress is being made in the investigation and I believe this is one case where the perpetrator or perpetrators will not get away”. He also revealed that Minister in charge of Gender Affairs, Hon. Olivia Grange will give a statement during her Sectoral Presentation on issues related to gender based violence tomorrow (Tuesday, July 12).  “Minister Grange will be updating the nation on the delayed Joint Select Committee to recommend amendments to the Offences Against the Person Act, the Sexual Offences Act, the Domestic Violence Act and The Child Care and Protection Act. This process…

The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism will represent the Most Honourable Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the funeral service for the late former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning. The service will take place on Saturday, July 9 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad commencing at 10:00am. Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Manning was an outstanding Caribbean leader who contributed to regional security and the political and economic development of his country. Other members of the Government and Opposition have expressed their sadness at the passing of Manning with Prime Minister Holness leading by signing a condolence book at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in Kingston on Sunday, July 3. The former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister died on Saturday, July 2. Minister Bartlett leaves the island today (Friday, July 8) and will return on Sunday.

CARICOM REVIEW COMMISSION MEMBERS 1. Mr. Bruce Golding (Chairman) Former Prime Minister 2. Amb. Dr. Nigel Clarke (Deputy Chairman) Deputy Chairman & CFO Musson Group of Companies 3. Mr Metry Seaga President Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association 4. Mrs Michelle Chong President Jamaica Exporters Association 5. Mr Warren McDonald President Jamaica Chamber of Commerce 6. Mr William Mahfood President Private Sector Organization of Jamaica 7. Mr. Hugh Johnson President Small business Association of Jamaica 8. Dr. Damien King Co-Executive Director Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) 9. Ambassador Lorne McDonnough Former Amb. to T & T (& CARICOM) 10. Mrs. Maxine Henry Wilson Commissioner Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission 11. Prof. Eleanor Brown Associate Professor of Law George Washington University 12. Mr. Danny Roberts Director Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute 13. Mr. Michael Diamond Second Vice President National Consumer League 14. Mr Dennis Cohen Deputy Managing Director National Commercial Bank 15. Mr. Phillip D. (Donnie) Bunting Farmer 16. Mr. John Jackson Chartered Accountant/Financial Analyst 17. Mr Kevin O’Brien-Chang Businessman/Public Commentator 18. Mr. Christopher Levy President and CEO Jamaica Broilers Group Limited EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries Ministry of Economic Growth and…

The Most Honourable Prime Minister Andrew Holness leads Jamaica’s delegation to the 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM being held in Georgetown, Guyana, July 4-6 under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica. The Prime Minister and his delegation left the island yesterday (Sunday, July 3). The meeting is being co-hosted by the Government of Guyana and the CARICOM Secretariat and will cover a range of issues including regional security, CARICOM Cuba Relations, CARICOM Dominican Republic Relations, CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), free movement and facilitation of travel within the Caribbean Community, Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIP), Brexit, Correspondent Banking, Cricket and Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). The Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with several leaders in CARICOM in an effort to strengthen relations and cooperation, as well as to consider pertinent CARICOM issues. He will also have bilateral discussions with special guest to the meeting, Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile. Accompanying the Prime Minister are Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson-Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Mrs Elaine Foster-Allen, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Undersecretary for Bilateral, Regional and Hemispheric Relations in…

Financial closure was attained on Thursday, June 30, 2016 with respect to the Concession Agreement between the Port Authority of Jamaica and Kingston Freeport Terminal Ltd (KFTL). This was revealed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness this morning (Friday, July 1) during a press conference held at Jamaica House. “The upfront and other fees required under the terms of the Concession Agreement were paid over to the PAJ on June 30, 2016, thus allowing for the transfer of the Kingston Container Terminal to the Concessionaire. Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited therefore assumes operations of the Kingston Container Terminal effective today, July 1st, 2016,” said the Prime Minister. Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited is a local company established by the Terminal Link/ CMA CGM Consortium for the sole purpose of acting as the Signatory to the KCT Concession. The KCT Concession is an agreement between PAJ and KFTL for the financing, development and expansion of Jamaica’s main transshipment port, the Kingston Container Terminal. The agreement gives KFTL a 30-year term concession with the right to finance, expand, operate, maintain and transfer the Kingston Container Terminal at the end of the concession period. According to the Prime Minister, “This development is timely, coming on the…